Forks Twp. Plans Are Modified * Supervisors Ask For A Design For Renovations To The Municipal Building.

September 19, 1997|by DENNIS KELLY, The Morning Call

Forks Township supervisors decided Thursday night to proceed with modified plans for renovating the front of the municipal building.

Supervisors received a $140,000 estimate last month to install a glass vestibule, new staircase and all the trimmings, but decided to wait because they were about to purchase the neighboring Service Electric building.

Instead of committing the entire sum, supervisors authorized township engineer Brad Miller to get a design ready to present to the township planning commission for approval. The design would then have to be approved by the supervisors.

Supervisor Robert Fretz said the township can do the inside finishing work, like flooring and lighting, at a later date, but felt it important to get the shell and new steps installed for the winter.

Fretz said he is concerned about ice accumulating on the shaky wooden steps. "Get rid of that deathtrap," he said. He wanted to seek bids, but before that can happen, there needs to be a township-approved design.

The township won't know how much less than $140,000 the scaled-down project will cost until they receive bids.

An advisory committee is studying the municipal complex and how best to use space. Now that the township has agreed to buy the Service Electric site along Sullivan Trail, the former home of Sammons Communications, that is also going to be factored into the study.

In other matters, supervisors decided to stop maintaining the curb along Ben Jon Road until illegal dumping stops.

Public Works Director Joe Murgia said dumping is damaging township equipment and his crew spends too much time cleaning it.

The township will post "No Dumping" signs along the road and send letters to nearby residents informing them why the township will stop maintenance, like grass cutting. "If the dumping stops, we'll go back and take care of the site," said Supervisor Chairman David Hoff.